USAID - Connecting the Mekong through Education and Training

In the year 2016, the University of Danang (UD) has been chosen as one of five universities and colleges of Vietnam to participate in the program of Connecting the Mekong through Education and Training by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), referred to as USAID COMET.

The project aims to provide students with the necessary skills as a means to increase job opportunities, and helps universities and vocational centers increase the number of skilled workers in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Accounting and Tourism in the Lower Mekong countries of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

The project works to bridge the gap between the private sector, universities and vocational centers to build up the supply of skilled workers to meet the demands of local businesses. During the project implementation, the universities and vocational centers will be supported to better prepare future leaders for skills development to increase job opportunities in high-demand sectors in the region. This project will support the Lower Mekong countries to narrow the development gap within ASEAN and capture the benefits of the ASEAN Economic Community

In phase 1, UD will pilot skills development and adjust teaching methods at the Faculty of Information Technology (the University of Science and Technology, UD).

Teaching staff of UD participated in Training of Trainers Workshop of USAID COMET

Previously, from March 25th to April 1st in 2016, the UD’s faculty representatives including Assoc. Prof. Vo Trung Hung, Dr. Huynh Cong Phap, Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Thanh Binh, Dr. Huynh Huu Hung, Dr. Tran The Vu joined the Training of Trainers Workshop of USAID COMET. This is part of the framework of the project USAID COMET. The workshop had the participation of 12 universities and colleges including Vietnam (5 units), Thailand (2 units), Cambodia (2 units), Laos (2 units) and Myanmar (1 unit).

According to the project plan, UD is the first university involved in the questionnaires implementation to students to adjust teaching methods as project goals set.

In late May 2016, USAID experts delegation had a meeting with the leaders of UD and the project participants. The delegates were Mr. Suparb Pasong, USAID COMET's Senior Institutional Specialist and Mr. Piyamit Bing Chomprasob, Senior Partnerships Manager

Meeting with UD and USAID COMET experts on May 2016

On the side of UD, the representatives were Assoc. Prof. Ngo Van Duong - Vice President of UD; Assoc Vo Trung Hung – Director, Department of Science, Technology and Environment; Ms. Ho Long Ngoc, M.A. – Vice Director of the International Cooperation Department; Dr. Huynh Cong Phap - Vice Rector, College of IT; Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Thanh Binh - Head of IT Department (University of Science & Technology); Dr. Huynh Huu Hung - Deputy Head of the IT department (University of Science & Technology); Dr. Tran The Vu – Head of Academic Affairs Division – VNUK Institute for Research and executive education.

Representative of USAID COMET presenting the project details

As known, USAID COMET project will link with partners such as Cisco, Intel, Google and Microsoft, as well as the local enterprises to ensure students have the opportunity to learn from the businessmen & professional leaders.

Photo group taking of both side

The meeting focused on main contents such as: consultant, support for UD to achieve the project results as desired. The experts also emphasized that the project wishes to support the university to enhance the quality of teaching, teaching methods to train the learners meeting business requirements. To do so, they need the support and commitment from leaders of UD.